Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Where Your Contribution Counts!
    eNewsletter
    Support Us!

Looking For A Friend Who Understands


freedomseek00

Recommended Posts

freedomseek00 Rookie

Hi,

I'm 23 years old and was recently diagnosed with celiac and a host of other food allergies and health conditions. I was wondering if there is anyone in the Bay Area, California who can relate and would like to be buddies (email, text, chat online, face-to-face). You don't even really have to be from the Bay Area, I just would like someone to talk to (that's what's so great about the internet). Right now I only have my dad (who is sensitive to gluten but no other food allergies) and my boyfriend (who has no food allergies) and they try to help as much as they can but it's not the same as having someone who can directly relate and who will understand my story. Otherwise, I have no other friends because I've been so sick for the past 5 years until they finally figured out it was food allergies a couple months ago. I'd love having more friends I can talk to and we could support each other Admittingly, I need a lot of support right now, I'm really struggling with accepting that this is my new life.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



rosetapper23 Explorer

I live in Martinez in Contra Costa County--whereabouts are you located? There are a number of gluten-free folks in the S.F. Bay Area, and we used to meet up every few months at Mariposa Bakery in Oakland....but it's been a while. If you register at Open Original Shared Link, you'll get invited to local gluten-free meetups. You just missed a one-day gluten-free conference in Palo Alto, but one-day events are fairly common in the Bay Area--lots of new people to meet. Please send me a PM if you'd like to meet up sometime at a restaurant that has a reputable gluten-free menu. If you actually live in S.F., there are some great gluten-free restaurants (even one that serves sandwiches!).

Also, there are some great celiac organizations in the U.S. that hold annual conferences. I'm a member of the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America (GIGNA), and I attend their conferences all over the U.S. I have friends that I've kept in touch with through this organization, and it helps me not to feel so lonely and isolated. There is a local chapter: GIG of North Marin, I believe. They hold monthly meetings in Novato, but because their meetings are in the evening and I have night blindness (from celiac), I haven't yet attended one of their meetings. There are also several forum posters here who live in the Bay Area, though I've never met them personally. Perhaps they'll chime in...

Please feel free to contact me--I remember all too well how overwhelmed and lonely I felt at first. It's been almost nine years for me, so it's gotten a lot better. Hope to hear from you!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
BeckyW Contributor

Hi,

I'm 23 years old and was recently diagnosed with celiac and a host of other food allergies and health conditions. I was wondering if there is anyone in the Bay Area, California who can relate and would like to be buddies (email, text, chat online, face-to-face). You don't even really have to be from the Bay Area, I just would like someone to talk to (that's what's so great about the internet). Right now I only have my dad (who is sensitive to gluten but no other food allergies) and my boyfriend (who has no food allergies) and they try to help as much as they can but it's not the same as having someone who can directly relate and who will understand my story. Otherwise, I have no other friends because I've been so sick for the past 5 years until they finally figured out it was food allergies a couple months ago. I'd love having more friends I can talk to and we could support each other Admittingly, I need a lot of support right now, I'm really struggling with accepting that this is my new life.

I don't live in the CA area but I totally understand how you feel. Besides not being able to eat gluten, I have multiple food issues. The main ones are soy and dairy. I also can't eat alot of vegetables or fruits. It sure can be frustrating and helps to have someone to talk to about all this. I am always willing to talk to you!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      120,472
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Jessiehags91
    Newest Member
    Jessiehags91
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.2k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      No! Do not start the gluten free diet until you know whether or not you will be having an endoscopy/biopsy to verify the blood antibody test results. Starting gluten free eating ahead of either form of diagnostic testing can invalidate the results. You don't want to allow the villous lining of the small bowel to experience healing ahead of testing by removing gluten.
    • Scott Adams
      We offer a ton of recipes here: https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/gluten-free-recipes/ and have done some articles on fast food places, but keep in mind that eating out is a common source of gluten contamination: https://www.celiac.com/search/?q=fast food&quick=1&type=cms_records2 Many colleges now offer allergen-friendly, and sometimes gluten-free options in their student cafeterias: https://www.celiac.com/search/?&q=colleges&type=cms_records2&quick=1&search_and_or=and&sortby=relevancy PS - Look into GliadinX, which is a sponsor here, but many studies have been done on it which show that it may break down small amounts of gluten in the stomach, before it reaches the intestines.
    • JustGemi
      Thank you! What do you recommend in the next 7 weeks until I see my Doctor?  Just start my Gluten free diet?
    • Scott Adams
      Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful:    
    • Scott Adams
      Here is more info about how to do a gluten challenge for a celiac disease blood panel, or for an endoscopy: and this recent study recommends 4-6 slices of wheat bread per day:    
×
×
  • Create New...